Cargo container



Dec. 7, 1954 R. L. TOFFOLON 2,696,235

CARGO CONTAINER Filed Aug. 29, 1952 4 Sheets-Sheet l IN VEN TOR.

Q0622 LTToFFoLou BY 1954 R. TOFFOLON 2,6

CARGO CONTAINER Filed Aug. 29, 1952 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 37 (0 7 FL .6 alulw ,f

IN VEN TOR. Easel: LTOFFOLOM Dec. 7, 1954 R. L. TOFFOLON 2,696,235

CARGO CONTAINER Filed Aug. 29, 1952 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR. 2:94am.L.TOFFOLON AT To an EY$ Dec. 7, 1954 R. TOFFOLON 2,

CARGO CONTAINER Filed Aug. 29, 1952 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 PLgi , INVENTOR.Q0622. L-TQF'FOLON 5. 772 par W Jim W fl ATTOQN EYS United States PatentCARGO CONTAINER Roger L. Toifolon, Plainville, Conn.

Application August 29, 1952, Serial No. 307,094

2 Claims. (Cl. ISO-0.5)

This invention relates to a cargo container.

An object of the present invention is to provide a cargo container whichis capable of handling and transporting a bulk of material.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a cargo containerwhich is capable of being handled by either lifting elements of a hoistor crane or the forks of a truck lift.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a cargocontainer which is capable of being readily filled Yjvitl;c a bulk ofmaterial and of readily discharging such Other objects and advantages ofthe invention will become apparent from the following description takenin conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure l is a perspective view of a cargo container of the presentinvention.

Figure 2 is a perspective bottom view of the cargo container of Figure1.

Figure 2A is a fragmentary reduced perspective bottom view of the cargocontainer of Figure 1 showing a modified form of reinforcing for thecontainer bottom.

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 4-4of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 55of Figure 2.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the cargo container of the presentinvention having a different openable closure operatively connected tothe inlet in the top and a different arrangement of the reinforcingstraps.

Figure 7 is a perspective bottom view of the cargo container of Figure6.

Figure 8 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 8-8of Figure 7 showing the openable closure for the outlet in the bottom inclosed position.

Figure 9 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the openableclosure of Figure 8 but showing the closure in its open position.

Figure 10 is a fragmentary perspective view of the 1 bottom portion ofthe cargo container of Figure 6 but showing the spaced lift elements onthe receptacle bottom.

Figure 11 is a fragmentary enlarged sectional view taken on the line1111 of Figure 10.

Figure 12 is a perspective view of another form of lift element whichmay be employed in place of the lift elements of Figure 10.

Figure 13 is a perspective view of still another form of lift elementswhich may be employed in place of the lift elements of Figure 10.

Figure 14 is a perspective view of the cargo container of the presentinvention having spaced lift elements of a further form with thereinforcing straps omitted.

Figure 15 is an enlarged sectional view tal en on the line 1515 ofFigure 14, the full line ind cat ng the normal position of the loops andthe dotted line indicating the position to which the loops may beshifted when the loops are swung about their pivotal connection.

Figure 16 is a perspectiveview of the cargo container of the presentinvention having spaced lift elements of a still further form and withexterior reinforcing straps.

Figure 16A is a perspective view of the cargo container of the presentinvention having spaced lift elements of a still further form andlifting elements of the type connectible to the ends of lifting chains,and with external reinforcing means.

Figure 17 is a perspective view of the cargo container of the presentinvention with the top portion cut away and showing both internal andexternal reinforcing means.

Referring to Figures 1 to 5 inclusive, such figures show a cargocontainer of the present invention for use in handling and transportinga bulk of dry granular material or liquid. The container comprises aclosed receptacle 10 fabricated wholly of flexible material such asheavy canvas, plastic fabric, rubber, nylon or like material, andincludes a top 12, a bottom 13 and side walls 14 extending between andconnected to the top and bottom. The flexible material may be of one ormore plies, and the corners of the receptacle may be of a thicknessdouble to that of the sheet of flexible material employed in the makingof such receptacle. The top 12 is provided with an inlet 15 to which isoperatively connected an openable closure 16. Specifically, the inlet15, Figure 4, comprises a threaded grommet 17 and in threaded engagementwith said grommet is the openable closure 16 in the form of a threadedplug.

The bottom 13 of the receptacle 11 is provided with an outlet 18 towhich is operatively connected an openable closure 19. As shown inFigures 2 and 2A the bottom 13 has two outlets 18. It is to beunderstood that although two outlets 18 are shown, more than two or onlyone may be provided.

Specifically, each outlet 18, Figure 5, comprises a threaded grommet 20and in threaded engagement with' such grommet is the openable closure 19in the form of a threaded plug, the plug having a crossed kerf 21 in theexterior end for the reception of an end of a screwdriver.

Reinforcing means or straps 22, Figures 1, 2 and 3, extend exteriorlyabout and are secured to the bottom 13 and the side walls 14. In placeof the portion of the reinforcing straps extending across the bottom 13in crossed relation as shown in Figure 2, such portion may be arrangedas a parallelogram, Figure 2A, with its corners connected to theadjacent parts of the portions of the straps carried by the side walls14. Spaced lift elements of the type adapted to detachably receive thelifting members of a power lift, such as a hoist, crane or truck lift,are positioned exteriorly of and are carried by the receptacle 10. Asshown in Figures 1, 2 and 3, the spaced lifting elements are of the typeconnectible to the ends of lifting chains and are in the form of rings23, the rings being adjacent the top 12 of the receptacle 10 and arepivotally carried by the sides 14 of the receptacle. Specifically, eachring is pivotally carried by a top portion of the reinforcing straps 22.

In the form illustrated in Figures 6 and 7, the cargo container of thepresent invention comprises a closed receptacle 25 fabricated wholly offlexible material of the type described in connection with thereceptacle 10 of the form of Figures 1 to 3 inclusive, the receptacleincluding a top 26, a bottom 27 and side walls 28 extending between andconnected to the top and bottom. Reinforcing means or straps 36 extendexteriorly about and are secured to the bottom 27 and the side walls 28,

and spaced lifting elements in the form of rings37 are positionedadjacent the top 26 of the receptacle 25 and are carried by the sides 28of the receptacle. Specifically, each ring is pivotally carried by a topend of a reinforcing strap 36. The top 26 is provided with an inlet 29to which is operatively connected an openable closure 30. As shown inFigure 6, the openable closure 30 is in the form of a flexible flapwhich is hingedly connected along one of its side edges to the top 26and which is openable and closable by means of a slide fastener 31operatively connected thereto. The bottom 27 is provided with an outlet32 to which is operatively connected an openable closure 33. As shown inFigure 7, the openable closure 33 is in the form of a flexible flapwhich is hingedly connected along one of its side edges to the bottom 27and which is openable and closable by means of a slide fastener 34 whichis operatively connected thereto. Specifically, the outlet 32, Figure 8,has attached thereto a flexible spout 35 which is foldable upon itselfand is held in such folded position by means of the flap 33 when inclosed position. With the shifting of the slide fastener 34 to theposition such as to permit 3 the flap 33 to swing downwardly and awayfrom the outlet 32 the flexible spout likewise drops downwardly andassumes a discharge position, the position illustrated in Figure 9.

For some conditions of use it is desirable and advantageous to have thebottom of the cargo container of the present invention provided withspaced lift elements of the type to accommodate the two spaced forks ofa truck lift. One form that such elements may take is illustrated inFigures and 11, and comprises two concavely curved channels 4'3positioned in parallel laterally spaced relation along the under face ofthe bottom 27 of the receptacle 25' and fixedly secured to the bottom 27by means of spaced rivets 41. The bottom 27 also has an outlet 42 towhich is operatively connected an openable closure 4-3, the closurebeing in the form of a threaded plug and in threaded engagement with agrommet 44 as described in connection with outlet 18 in Figure 5.

In place of lift elements of the type to accommodate the forks of atruck lift as shown in Figure 10, each of such elements may be of thetype illustrated in Figure 12 wherein the channel 45 is rectangularshaped with the ends of the web 46 curved inwardly to fit over the edgesof the bottom 27 and bear against the adjacent portion of the side walls28.

In some instances, the lift elements of the type to accommodate thespaced forks of a truck lift may be of the type illustrated in Figure13. In such Figure, there is a first pair of concavely curved channels51) positioned in parallel laterally spaced relation and a second pairof concavely curved channels 52 positioned in parallel intersectingspaced relation with respect to the pair of channels St). This form oflift receiving elements has the advantage that the two spaced forks of atruck lift may enter the adjacent channels from either one of the sidesof the receptacle 25.

Reverting to Figures 14 and there is shown in such figures a cargocontainer of the present invention which also comprises a closedreceptacle 55 fabricated wholly of flexible material of the typedescribed in connection with the receptacle 10 of the form of Figures 1to 3 inclusive, the receptacle including a top 56, a bottom 57 and sideWalls 58 extending between and connected to the top and bottom. The top56 is provided with an inlet 59 to which is operatively connected anopenable closure 60 of the type previously described in connection withthe form of Figures 1 and 4. Spaced lift elements of the type toaccommodate the two spaced forks of a truck lift are disposed adjacentthe top 56 of the receptacle and are pivotally carried by the adjacentside walls 58 of the receptacle. Specifically, there are two flexiblebackings 69a arranged in opposed parallel relation positioned exteriorlyof the receptacle 55 adjacent the top 56 thereof and each attached tothe adjacent one of the side walls 58, each backing having a rod 61pivotally supported thereon. Each of the rods has two upstanding loops62 arranged in spaced relation, the loops of the two rods being inregistry and adapted to receive the two forks of a lift truck. By virtueof the pivotal con nection of the rods 61 to the flexible backings 60a,the loops 62 and their adjacent rods may be swung from the full linenormal upright position to the .dotted line position as shown in Figure15.

The cargo container of the present invention illustrated in Figure 16also comprises a closed receptacle 65 fabricated wholly of flexiblematerial of the type described in conjunction with the receptacle lid ofthe form of Figures 1 to 3 inclusive, the receptacle including a top 66,a bottom 67 and side walls 68 extending between and connected to the topand bottom. The top 66 is provided with an inlet 69 to which isoperatively connected an openable closure 7% of the type previouslydescribed in connection with the form of Figures 1 and 4. Disposedadjacent the top 66 of the receptacle 65 and pivotally carried by theadjacent side walls 68 of the receptacle 65 are two single elongatedloops 71. As shown in Figure 16, each loop is pivotally supported in abacking 72 which is attached to the adjacent one of the side walls 68,the loops being in registry and adapted to receive the two lift forks ofa lift truck. Reinforcing means or straps 73 extend exteriorly about andare secured to the bottom 67 and the side walls 63.

Reverting to Figure 16A, such figure shows a cargo container of thepresent invention which comprises a closed receptacle 80 fabricatedWholly of flexible material of the type described in conjunction withthe receptacle 10 of the form of Figures 1 to 3 inclusive, thereceptacle including a top 81, a bottom 82, and side walls 83 extendingbetween and connected to the top and bottom. The top is provided with aninlet 84 to which is operatively connected an openable closure 85 of thetype previously described in connection with the form of Figures 1 and4. Disposed adjacent the top 81 of the receptacle 30 and pivotallycarried by the adjacent side Walls 83 of the receptacle 80 are twosingle elongated loops 86. Each loop 86 has a pair of spaced bars 87extending transversely across adjacent one end and forming therebetweena subsidiary loop 88 and another pair of spaced bars 89 likewiseextending transversely across adjacent the other end and formingtherebetween another subsidiary loop 90, the subsidiary loops 88 and 90being in registry and adapted to receive the two lift forks of a lifttruck. Reinforcing means or straps 91 extend exteriorly about and aresecured to the bottom 82 and the side walls 83. On each of the loops 86are two rings 92 which are adapted to be connected to the ends oflifting chains.

in Figure 17 there is shown a cargo container of the present inventionwhich comprises a closed receptacle 95 fabricated wholly of flexiblematerial of the type described in conjunction with the receptacle 1d ofthe form of Figures 1 to 3 inclusive, the receptacle including a bottom96 and side walls 97 extending about and connected to the bottom, theclosed top being cut away to show the interior of the receptacle.Reinforcing means are on both the interior and exterior of thereceptacle 95, such means embodying a reinforcing strap 98 extendingexteriorly about and secured to the side walls 97 adjacent the topthereof, and a pair of wires 99 arranged in crossed relation disposedwithin the receptacle 95 and having their ends extending through theadjacent portions of the side walls 97 and secured to the adjacentportions of the straps 98.

in use of the cargo container of the present invention, the granularmaterial or liquid is introduced through the inlet provided in the topuntil the receptacle is substantially filled and then the openableclosure is inserted in the inlet and shifted to closed position,whereupon the lifting elements of a hoist or crane or the lifting forksof a truck lift are caused to engage the lift receiving elements on thereceptacle corresponding to the particular type of lifting elements. Thecargo container is then transported to the desired location, whereuponthe material contained therein is discharged therefrom upon removal ofthe openable closure from the outlet in the receptacle bottom.

Having fully described the invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is:

1. A cargo container comprising a closed receptacle fabricated wholly offlexible material and including a top and a bottom, an inlet in saidtop, an openable closure operatively connected to said inlet, an outletin said bottom, an openable closure operatively connected to saidoutlet, reinforcing means extending exteriorly about and secured to saidreceptacle, reinforcing means positioned within and secured to saidreceptacle, and spaced lift elements of the type adapted to detachablyreceive the lifting members of a power lift positioned exteriorly of andbelow the receptacle bottom and fixedly carried by the latter, said liftelements embodying two concavely curved channels positioned in parallellaterally spaced relation along and fixedly secured to the said underface of said receptacle bottom.

2. A cargo container comprising a closed receptacle fabricated wholly offlexible material and including a top and a bottom, an inlet in saidtop, an openable closure operatively connected to said inlet, an outletin said bottom, an openable closure operatively connected to saidoutlet, reinforcing means extending exteriorly about and secured to saidreceptacle, reinforcing means positioned within and secured to saidreceptacle, and spaced lift elements of the type adapted to detachablyreceive the lifting members of a power lift positioned exteriorly of andbelow the receptacle bottom and fixedly carried by the latter, said liftelements embodying a first pair of concavely curved channels positionedin parallel laterally spaced relation along and fixedly secured to theunder face of said receptacle bottom and a second pair of concavelycurved channels positioned in parallel inr J tersecting spaced relationwith respect to said first pair Number of channels and fixedly securedto the under face of said 2,406,903 receptacle bottom. 2,437,0582,457,841 References Cited in the file of this patent 5 2,503,562 UNITEDSTATES PATENTS 38951 Number Name Date 1,662,018 Van Orman Mar. 6, 1928Number 2,013,358 Osborne Sept. 3, 1935 10 561,819

2,295,590 Manson et a1. Sept. 15, 1942 Name Date Rethorst Sept. 3, 1946Waters Mar. 2, 1948 Smith et a1. Jan. 4, 1949 Porter Apr. 11, 1950 Smithet a1. May 19, 1953 FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date Great Britain June 6,1944

